Improvement in trusses



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES XVM. ,IETZEM OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRUSSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 47,612, dated May 9, 18H5.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLEs WILLIAM BETZEL, of the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trusses for Hernia 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full aud exact description of the same, reference being had to the ac companying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a front View of my improved truss. Fig. 2 illustrates the application thereof to the person, showing its position and the way in which itis fastened in front; and Fig. 3 is a similar view, illustrating its position and attachment at the back.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to a truss which is especially adapted for inguinal hernia, or to prevent the falling ot' the intestines into the scrotum and it consists in the use of a pad in connection with a spring applied to the body and secured by straps in the peculiar manner hereinafter described.

The following description will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully understand and use the same.

In the accompanying drawings, a b represent a pad, the shape of which adapts it to lit or conform to the inguinal region. To the material which stiifens and determines the shape of the pad is conjoined or secured a spring, d, which, when the truss is applied, extends from the pad a around the hip bone and terminates at or near the spine. The remainder of the girdle or belt, of which the spring d forms a part, is composed of the padded buckslrin or other material which is used to cover the spring and pad. This part eextends around the crest of the left hipbone (when the pad is adapted for use on the right side) and across the abdomen, as shown in Fig. 2, and to its end is attached a strap perforated with a number of holes, so as to be fastened to a button, a', on the pad. The tapering prolongation b of the pad, which fits between the scrotum and theadjacent part of the thigh, terminates in a strap, b', which, passing through the crotch, extends upward in contact with the gluteal muscle and is hitched to a button, c, on the spring d. The peculiar normal curvature of the spring d patient, because the sum of the pressure is not localized in or confined to the pad; but, by the two powers of traction-the girdle e f and thigh-strap b-f\ cting against each other, the pressure is equally distributed throughout the whole area covered by the truss, which secures the objects attained by an effectual truss without irritation or discomfort to the patient.

The pad illustrated is adapted for use on the right side, but, of course, they are to be constructed for use on the left side.

Having thus described my invention, the

following is whatl claim as new herein and desire to secure by Letters Paten t 1. The pad a, formed with a prolongation, b, and fitting the inguinal region in such a way and having such shape that the movements of the thigh or body cannot move it from its proper position, as herein set forth.

2. The spring d, when employed in connection with the pad a in the manner and for the purpose herein described and represented.

3. The strap b', extending from the prolongation of the pad, between the thighs and across the gluteal muscle, and hitched or fastened to the button c on the spring d, for the purpose of preventing any upward movement of the pad, substantially as set forth.

4. The strap or girdle ef, occupying a position above the crest of the hip-bone, extending across the abdomen and fastened to the button a on the pad a, to prevent the displacement of the pad in a downward direction, and operating in connection with the strap b to prevent lateral displacement.

GHS. WM. BETZEL.

Witnesses:

BERNHARD SPRINGER, EDMUND WILcoX. 

